NH Marine killed by roadside bomb in Afghanistan

U.S. Marine Brandon Garabrant of Greenfield checks the program during ConVal High School's graduation ceremony in Peterborough last June. He wore a traditional cap and gown after the school denied his request to attend the ceremony in his military dress uniform.

A Marine from New Hampshire died while serving in Afghanistan, according to releases from state and federal officials.

Lance Cpl. Brandon Garabrant died Friday.

“Our hearts are broken by the loss of Lance Corporal Brandon Garabrant, a true American hero who made the ultimate sacrifice for the country that he loved,” U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte said in a statement. “I join citizens across New Hampshire in extending my deepest condolences to his family. We will forever honor the proud legacy that Lance Corporal Garabrant leaves behind.”

“The entire State of New Hampshire is devastated by the tragic loss of Lance Corporal Brandon Garabrant, who was bravely serving his nation in Afghanistan,” Gov. Maggie Hassan said in a statement. “Our service men and women courageously sacrifice every day to protect their fellow citizens and defend the enduring value of freedom that is our very core, and in doing so, Lance Corporal Garabrant made the ultimate sacrifice.”

Hassan’s office said Garabrant was a volunteer firefighter in Temple and graduated from ConVal High School. Hassan asked Granite Staters and Americans “to come together to support his family and his community.”

Last year, Garabrant wanted to wear his Marine uniform to his graduation from high school, but his wish was denied by school officials, who asked him to stick with a school policy that bans uniforms and requires all graduates to wear blue caps and gowns.

“Out of respect for the USMC and ConVal, I will not be wearing my military dress uniform to graduation tomorrow. I will be there in civilian clothes wearing cap & gown,” Garabrant said in a statement last year.

U.S Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-NH, released the following statement this evening on U.S. Marine Lance Corporal Brandon Garabrant: "Lance Corporal Brandon Garabrant was a hero in every sense of the word. He valiantly served our country and epitomized the bravery and sacrifice of every member of our armed forces, for which we will be forever grateful. I join the entire state of New Hampshire in extending my thoughts and prayers to his family and his loved ones."

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